The Original 5-Star Ratings

Forbes Travel Guide's professional inspectors visit every hotel, restaurant and spa that we rate. Our in-depth hotel inspections span two nights and three days.

We evaluate each property against up to 800 objective criteria with an emphasis on service.

Our inspectors are completely anonymous at all times, so that they can be sure they experience the same level of service and amenities that the average guest would.

Forbes Travel Guide, formerly Mobil Travel Guide, created the original 5-star rating system in 1958. ForbesTravelGuide.com is the only place you’ll find the complete directory of Forbes Travel Guide Star Rated properties.

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An oceanside retreat on Vancouver Island

63 Rooms / 12 Suites

Famous for its storm-watching events (the luxurious resort is perched on the edge of a particularly volatile stretch of Pacific Ocean), this three-story cedar inn is a rustic retreat on a remote stretch of Vancouver Island. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame dazzling views of the crashing surf. Furnishings crafted from recycled fir, cedar, and driftwood add a unique touch in the comfortable accommodations, as do fireplaces, oversized tubs and private balconies. Beach comb with your pet in tow on Chesterman Beach, and then stop by the pet shower station to freshen up. The superb onsite spa takes its cues from botanicals from the nearby ancient rainforest. The sea is the focus at the Pointe Restaurant, where the ocean’s bounty is highlighted.